Me Too founder Tarana Burke states that the allegation of sexual assault against Asia Argento do not discredit the movement. Argento was among several actors who had accused producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and harassment in 2017. She has also been a prominent advocate of the Me Too Movement, which rose out of allegations of sexual harassment and violence in Hollywood.
In a series of posts on Twitter, Burke said that the movement is not a “spectator sport”, but has been “generated by people”. Burke reiterated that the allegations against Argento do no invalidate her claims that she was assaulted, adding that there is “no model survivor”.
A shift can happen. This movement is making space for possibility. But, it can only happen after we crack open the whole can of worms and get really comfortable with the uncomfortable reality that there is no one way to be a perpetrator.
— Tarana (@TaranaBurke) August 20, 2018
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Argento reached a financial settlement of $380,000 in April with actor and musician Jimmy Bennett over sexual assault charges. Argento allegedly had sexual intercourse with Bennet in California in 2013, the New York Times report stated. Bennett was two months past his 17th birthday at the time, which is below the legal age of consent in California.
Weinstein has denied allegations of non-consensual sex with Argento. The producer’s lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, released a statement addressing the allegations against Argento, adding that her relationship with Weinstein was consensual.
“What is perhaps most egregious, is the timing, which suggests that at the very same time Argento was working on her own secret settlement for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor, she was positioning herself at the forefront of those condemning Mr. Weinstein, despite the fact that her sexual relationship with Mr. Weinstein was between two consenting adults which lasted for more than four years. The sheer duplicity of her conduct is quite extraordinary and should demonstrate to everyone how poorly the allegations against Mr. Weinstein were actually vetted and accordingly, cause all of us to pause and allow due process to prevail, not condemnation by fundamental dishonesty.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement officials in California said in a statement on Monday that they were “looking into” the allegations, The New York Times reported. Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department captain Darren Harris said that the agency was aware of the alleged 2013 episode, but has not “located any police report alleging criminal activity”. He added that they were reaching out to Bennett to document any possible unlawful activity.